Had a puncture whilst on a ride out last Sunday, just as the heavens opened up. Surprised to note that my rear tyre had 2004 stamped on it. I don't think the age was the cause of the problem as the tyre looked to all intents and purposes to be brand new, but I am resolved to renew the tyre rather than have it repaired.Ideally I would prefer a tyre with a rounder profile, the existing one is fairly square, it is a 19 x 350, could anyone recommend a tyre with a more modern (rounded) profile and is anyone aware of whether it would be possible to increase the width slightly... perhaps 375 or 400? It is a B33.
Good morning,
There are several manufacturers who still offer tyre sizes for older bikes. I prefer Avon RoadRiders. They are not the cheapest but I think they perform well. A 100/90 is similar to a 3.50 but is lower profile but may not be available in a 19 and a 4.00 or 110/90 would be a tight fit even if available for a 19" rim.
M&P list a comprehensive list of tyres and there was recently a post with a link to a site with information on tyre sizes/profile etc. If you find that it may prove useful.
Dave.
Good morning, My B31 handles really well with an Avon roadrider 3.50 x19 on the rear and a ribbed 3.25 x19 Avon on the front. In my opinion you will upset the handling of you fit too fat a tyre on the rear.
I used to hill climb on my Cammy Velocette and that was fitted with Dunlop K70's front and rear. Very soft and lots of grip,especially the front, however other people who rode it commented on its tendency to be heavy on the front when cornering.
Dennis
if theres anything that spoils the look of a classic bike its a modern tyre profile , 19 inch may not be the most common size but i would stick to the square section every day , they just look right .
dennis nice to here someone is still thrashing their velo , i still have mine but very rare they see the light of day now .
(https://i.postimg.cc/r074sKzJ/SAM-4070.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r074sKzJ)
J run my Shooting Star with a Mitas rear with no problems holds the road well. I did run a 4 x 19 rear but this puts up the gearing and makes the speedo run slower.
In Poland
Very popular tyre bran for classic bikes is Mitas. They have in offer H01 tread in 3,00-19 , 3.25-19 and 3.50 -19.
Maby this hepl.
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/motorcycle-tyre/mitas-h-01-3-25-19-54-p-front-rear-tt-m-c#311474482
I appreciate that a profiled rear tyre may offend the purists, but I just want a nice handling bike, I am not bothered about authenticity... which is just as well given the varied bits on my bike that are completely non standard - It's 12 volt, it has an electric starter, LED lights, 1947 engine, Triumph clutch ass, Gold Star forks, 8" front brake, A65 rear drum & sprocket, loads of non standard chrome, ie. mudguards, chain guard, tank A la RGS. 1958 frame, a smattering of various stainless steel parts, a clock on the handlebars and ... shortly... an electronic tachometer! However, my '56 B31 is completely original in every respect!
Does this mitigate my case?
Hi,
Your tyres, your choice. RoadRiders for me every time. Interestingly all the Avon tyres, even the SM Mk2 are now made in a modern compound but I would rather be scraping my footrest on a RoadRider profile than an SM Mk2.
Mention of Dunlop K70 earlier in the thread. This was once my preferred rear tyre but I read somewhere that they were originally developed as a front tyre to complement the more triangular racing rears of the day.
Dave.
I have tried to obtain Avon Roadriders unsuccessfully as yet, the 325x19 are in stock at Vintage Tyres but not the 350 rears. I have also checked out Dunlops K70 but they are quite a bit more expensive. Ironically it is the rear tyre I need most. The Mita's are the most kind to the wallet and also the widest range of sizes with a 19 rim. My local tyre dealer has asked me to ring him back tomorrow (I left the wheel there 2 days ago and have heard nothing since until this evening.) So tomorrow is ground hog day! In the meantime I have taken this opportunity to remove the A65 sprocket/drum and am poised to fit the correct drum with a 42 tooth sprocket. I have re-used the existing drum bearing as it appears brand new with no discernible play. The bearing retaining circlip is puzzling me as it is about an eighth of an inch shorter than the groove it fits into and the hook end will not fit into the groove, remaining slightly proud. It was like this when I removed it... should I be worried...should I replace it...or is this normal?
Hi,
Have you had a look on the M&P website?
Dave.
Fitted RRs to my AJS 650 yesterday. 3.25x19 front and a 100/90x19 rear ( the label on the 100/90 does give the 3.50x19 size too). They feel pretty good so far though Ill not be doing anything adventurous on em untill theyve been scrubbed off a bit. The rear fitted easily, a bit more effort with the front mainly due to being narrower and trickier to get the valve in the rim.
Steve
Not hijack my own thread, but what is the best plug to fit to a B33, the handbook states Champion L10S or L7, not sure technology hasn't advanced somewhat during the intervening 70 odd years.
Has the technology of your bike changed in 70 odd years? If not stick to the L10 works for me. I have been using them in my B33 for years. I think you will find the L7 a bit to hard and will tend to foul up unless you are riding hard all the time.
I have TT100 back and front on my 61 Super Rocket
The saga continues, should be sorted tomorrow, but in the interim period does anyone have any advice re the drum bearing retaining clip? as mentioned it is about an eighth shorter than the groove it fits into and one end of it has a hook like projection which will not fit into the groove being slightly bent out, the other end does fit snugly into the groove and is plain!
I bought a bike, not a BSA, and it had fitted modern tubeless tyres for spoked rims. I was a bit worried about these as initailly the bike handled very differently to, a similar one with traditional tyres. Then I blew these up to 40psi and they are great, and the back one very round. 8)
Have a look at Central Wheel ;D
been using Heidenau tyres on my bikes for years and very happy with them (B31, B33, M21, G80S, TR6).
Rear K34 3.50 -19
Front K44 3.25 -19
I have a 350/19 Avon roadrider on the back and the same on the front although the front should be a 325. The front literally just fits between the mudguard stays. The local dealer advised thus. Due to inclement weather (I only fitted the front yesterday) I have not had a chance to try them out as yet. When I removed the rear wheel I also replaced the original (as fitted when I purchased the bike) drum & sprocket for one with less teeth, 42 instead of 47. I think the original was an A65 type with the sprocket bolted onto the drum whereas I now have a drum with integral teeth. This was rendered necessary because the engine sprocket was changed when the starter was installed resulting in a somewhat under geared situation. I haven't really tried out the new combination yet but I do know that it still starts off OK and doesn't feel over geared although I only rode it up and down the road just to check as I was slightly concerned. The saga experienced during the drum change over was unbelievable, even the chain shortening was a disaster, it is all down to experience and I won't bore you with the sordid details but the time taken was measured in days!